270 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



be. They accomplish it by removing a few spadefuls of earth. 

 To do it properly a hole thirty inches deep must be made, and 

 as a digger cannot get down that depth in a narrow hole, it 

 follows that a good deal of earth has to be shifted in order to 

 get each upright in. The hole will probably be quite as far across 

 at the top as it is deep. 



There is one great compensation for the not inconsiderable 

 amount of labour involved in making such holes, and that is that 

 an opportunity is afforded of improving the soil to a good depth, 

 and so insuring benefit to the plants. The lower soil, near the 

 butt of the pillar, must be well rammed. When half of the hole 

 has been filled manure may be put in, and the top soil made 

 firm on it. 



In this connection, what applies to the uprights for arches 

 applies also to those for pergolas. The necessity for it must be 

 taken into account when the length of the pergola, and the 

 distance apart of the main poles, are being considered. If a 

 thoughtless decision is come to that the uprights shall be put in 

 six feet apart, a great deal of labour in making holes is entailed, 

 not to speak of the extra expense of so many poles. Nine feet 

 apart is a fair and suitable distance. 



All things considered, Larch poles should be preferred for the 

 uprights, alike in the case of arches, pergolas, and pillars. The 

 timber is admittedly not nearly so durable as Oak, but it has 

 four great points in its favour: (i) It is straight; (2) it is natural- 

 looking if its bark is left on ; (3) plants take to it freely ; and (4) 

 it is cheap. If the bark is scraped off the bottom thirty inches, 

 which is painted with Stockholm tar, the poles will last for 

 several years, especially if they have been cut a good while when 

 bought. If they can be got at a moderate price, poles not less 

 than six inches thick at the base should be procured ; eight inches 

 will be better still. 



The uprights of an arch may be a little shorter than those of 



